WO2001061559A1

WO2001061559A1 - Cellular coupon system

Info

Publication number: WO2001061559A1
Application number: PCT/US2001/003684
Authority: WO
Inventors: David Robert Noble; L. Evan Baergen
Original assignee: Summedia.Com, Inc.
Priority date: 2000-02-18
Filing date: 2001-02-16
Publication date: 2001-08-23
Also published as: AU2001238027A1

Abstract

A system (200) and method are provided for promotional information distribution and/or redemption via a wireless communication network (210). Upon an occurrence of one or more triggering events, promotional information, such as a discount coupon, is automatically sent to the wireless communication device of a subscriber from a distribution server (201). In a preferred embodiment, promotional information can be sent to the wireless device even without a specific request from the device user. The distribution server has stored therein a subscriber profile, including buying preferences, personal, family and/or friends' biographical data, calendar/schedule information, etc. The distribution server preferably selects particular promotional information based, in part, on the type of triggering event and the subscriber profile. The received promotional information may be used (or redeemed) by the subscriber via an e-mail message, a facsimile or a telephone call (or by on an on-screen verification by a merchant) without necessarily printing the promotional information.

Description

CELLULAR COUPON SYSTEM

Technical Field

The invention relates to computers and computer networks. More particularly, the invention relates to distribution and redemption of promotion information over a communications network.

Background of the Invention

Promotional information, i.e., advertisements, discount coupons, gift certificates, etc., have been used by retailers, distributors and/or manufacturers of goods and services as a way to attract, and to induce, customers to visit their store and buy their products and services. In particular, discount coupons have a potential to serve as a useful market planning tool by providing demographics information, e.g., consumer preferences, peak demand periods, etc.

The traditional paper coupons, however, are inefficient in achieving the above marketing objectives due at least in part to low utilization of such by consumers. Paper coupons require consumers to search newspapers, magazines, mailers, etc. to find, select and save relevant paper coupons for later redemption. The search for particular coupons takes a significant amount of time and, once gathered, quantities of paper coupons become bulky and are difficult to organize in a useful manner. Moreover, consumers may be further deterred from using discount coupons on a regular basis due to the extra time and/or embarrassment during redemption thereof at a retailer. Redemption may take a significant time when the check-out line is long, which may exacerbate a customer's embarrassment. Furthermore, the paper coupon industry suffers from an enormous problem of fraudulent redemption practices by unscrupulous individuals who trade and/or redeem a large number of coupons in bulk wholly unrelated to any sale of the products for which the coupons were meant to apply. These fraudulent redemption practices not only cost the manufacturer's an enormous amount of money in lost profits and wasted marketing expenses, but also result in a corruption of market research data by posting a large number of redemptions unrelated to any true purchasing activities of consumers. Thus, the paper coupon redemption patterns fail to serve as an accurate market indicator.

Recently, a small but growing number of Internet web sites that offer electronic discount coupons on-line have appeared. For example, Fig. 1 shows an example of an online electronic coupon distribution network 100, which includes a wide area network (WAN) 103 (e.g., the Internet), through which a consumer PC 105 communicates with the coupon server 101. The consumer 105 "visits" (i.e., finds and initiates a communication to) the server 101, which may list a number of available discount coupons stored in storage 102. After downloading a selected discount coupon(s), the consumer 105 may print the coupon from the printer 106 connected to the consumer PC 105, and present the paper form coupon to an "off-line" merchant for redemption. The consumer 105 may also visit an on-line merchant 104 (e.g., a web site) and redeem the coupon during an on-line purchase. Unfortunately, some of the conventional on-line electronic coupon distribution methodology described above suffers from the same disadvantages of the traditional paper coupon. For example, consumers may be required to print the coupons and then present the printed coupons to a retail store at the time of purchase. Moreover, the conventional on-line redemption described above can be even more inconvenient than the paper coupons because of the limited number of available on-line merchants, and because the consumer is required to access a computer terminal. Conventional electronic coupons are not portable (i.e., cannot be stowed in pockets or wallets, etc.), and thus do not allow redemption during spontaneous, spur of the moment, purchases. This is particularly disadvantages in modern society, which is becoming increasingly mobile. Current consumer redemption of a conventional on-line electronic coupons is, as can be expected, even less than that of the traditional paper coupons. Furthermore, conventional discount coupons (both in paper and electronic form) suffer from a fundamental flaw in that they require consumers to "pull" the coupons (i.e., initiate the search and acquisition process). In other words, consumers are the active initiator, while the distribution coupons are effective only to the extent consumers succeed in finding the particular coupons, and only when consumers already have the inclination for the purchases. Thus, conventional discount coupons are limited in their effectiveness in promoting new sales.

In addition, because the distribution process and the redemption process of the conventional discount coupons are, for the most part, disconnected from each other, a complete tracking of a coupon from the issuance to the redemption cannot be made. Thus, there is a need for more efficient method and device for promotional information delivery and redemption system, which promotes participation by a larger number of consumers. There is a further need for promotional information delivery and redemption system, which provides a seamless integration of delivery and redemption process to provide a secure redemption that prevents fraud.

Summary of Invention A system and method are provided for promotional information distribution and/or redemption via wireless communication network. Upon an occurrence of one or more triggering events, promotional information, such as a discount coupon, is automatically sent to the wireless communication device of a subscriber from a distribution server. In a preferred embodiment, promotional information can be sent to the wireless device even without a specific request from the device user. The distribution server has stored therein a subscriber profile, including buying preferences, personal, family and/or friends' biographical data, calendar/schedule information, etc. The distribution server preferably selects particular promotional information based, in part on the type of triggering event and the subscriber profile. The received promotional information may be used (or redeemed) by the subscriber via an e-mail message, a facsimile or a telephone call (or by on-screen verification by a merchant) without necessarily printing the promotional information. The wireless communication device can also be equipped with an automatic scanner, such as a bar-code reader, to facilitate a seamlessly integrated completion of promotional information delivery and redemption without the need for a conventional point-of-sale (POS) station.

In accordance with the principles of the present invention, a method of distributing promotional information is provided. At least one triggering event is provided and detected. Upon detection of such a triggering event, a push delivery of promotional information is initiated to a mobile unit at least in part via wireless communications network.

In addition, in accordance wit the principles of the present invention, a promotional information distribution and redemption system comprises a distribution server, a mobile until and a communication network, where the distribution server pushes the promotional information to the mobile unit through the communication network.

Description of Drawings

Features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art from the following description with reference to the drawings, in which:

Figure 1 is a block diagram showing a conventional electronic coupon distribution/redemption network.

Figure 2 is a block diagram showing relevant portions of an exemplary embodiment of the promotional information delivery/redemption system in accordance with the principles of the present invention.

Figure 3 is a block diagram showing the mobile until and the server of Figure 2 in more detail.

Figure 4 is an exemplary flow diagram of the user sign-up process in the promotional information delivery/redemption system in accordance with the principles of the present invention. Figure 4a is an exemplary flow diagram of the user profile setup process in the promotional information delivery/redemption system in accordance with the principles of the present invention.

Figure 4b is an exemplary flow diagram of the user option selection/change process in the promotional information delivery/redemption system in accordance with the principles of the present invention.

Figure 5a is a block diagram showing relevant portions of the mobile unit and the server, and an illustration of an exemplary embodiment of the event triggered promotional information delivery process and system in accordance with the principles of the present invention.

Figure 5b is a block diagram showing relevant portions of the mobile unit and the server, and an illustration of an alternative embodiment of the event triggered promotional information delivery process and system in accordance with the principles of the present invention. Figure 6 is an exemplary flow diagram illustrating the mobile unit software component of the promotional information delivery/redemption system in accordance with the principles of the present invention.

Figure 7a is an exemplary flow diagram illustrating the user interface in the server of the promotional information delivery/redemption system in accordance with the principles of the present invention.

Figure 7b is an exemplary flow diagram illustrating the redemption method selection process of the promotional information delivery/redemption system in accordance with the principles of the present invention. Figure 8 is an illustrative exemplary flow diagram of handling of a calendar event trigger in the promotional information delivery/redemption system in accordance with the principles of the present invention.

Figure 9 is an illustrative exemplary flow diagram of handling of a location/favorite event trigger in the promotional information delivery/redemption system in accordance with the principles of the present invention.

Figure 10 is an illustrative exemplary flow diagram of the friend notification feature of the promotion information delivery/redemption system in accordance with the principles of the present invention. Figure 11 is an illustrative exemplary flow diagram of the redemption through bar-code reader process of the promotional information delivery/redemption system in accordance with the principles of the present invention.

Detailed Description of Preferred Embodiments

In accordance with the principles of the present invention, an apparatus for and a method of promotional information distribution to (and/or redemption from) a wireless communication device, through a communication network are described. Upon an occurrence of one or more triggering event, promotional information (e.g., a discount coupon, advertisement messages, gift certificates, etc.) are automatically sent to the wireless communication device of a subscriber from a distribution server. Preferably, thee promotional information can be sent even without a specific request from the subscriber. The distribution sever has stored therein a subscriber profile, e.g., buying preferences, personal, family and/or friends biographic data, calendar/schedule information, etc. The distribution sever selects particular promotional information based on the type of triggering event and/or the subscriber profile. The received promotional information may be used (or redeemed) by the subscriber via an e-mail message, a facsimile or a telephone call (or by on screen verification by a merchant). Optionally, redemption can be accomplished without requiring the user to print the promotional information. Alternatively, the promotional information could provide a unique code to be entered on a retailer's web site or a retailer's on-premises payment system. The wireless communication device can also be equipped with a bar-code reader or other scanning device to facilitate a seamlessly integrated completion of promotional information delivery and redemption transactional loop. This eliminates the need for a conventional point-of-sale (POS) station, thus ensuring secured redemption of the promotional information.

In particular, Fig. 2 shows an exemplary embodiment of the promotional information delivery/redemption system 200 in accordance with the principles of the present invention. The promotional information delivery/redemption system 200 preferably comprises a wide area network (WAN) 203, e.g., the Internet, the public switched telephone network (PSTN), and the like, through with a consumer PC 205 communicates with a server 201. The network 203, however, could alternately also be a private network or intranet. The WAN 203, the consumer PC 205, printer 206 and the on-line merchant 204 each operate in similar manner as those of the conventional system shown in Fig. 1.

In addition, , the inventive promotional information delivery/redemption system 200 comprises a wireless communication network 210, e.g., a cellular or PCS telephone network. The wireless communication network provides communications between various wireless communications devices, such as cellular phones 212a-212c, a personal digital assistant (PDA) 213, and a portable computer 214. The wireless communication devices are collectively referred herein as mobile units (MU), which can be any devices that may be utilized to effectuate communication through the wireless network 210. In some instances, as used herein, "mobile unit" may include stationary wireless devices, such as appliances using "blue tooth" wireless technology. The wireless communication network 210 can be any network providing wireless communication channel(s), and may utilize any of the wireless communication standards and protocols, such as a personal communications service (PCS) network, a code division multiple access (CDMA) network, a time division multiple access network (TDMA), the global system for mobile communications (GSM), or the like, each of which are known to those familiar with wireless communications.

The base stations (BS) 211a and 211b act as wireless interfaces between the wireless network 210 and the mobile units 212a-212c, 213 and 214. The wireless communication network 210 may additional comprise, one or more home location registers (HLR) (not shown), several visitor location registers (NLR) (also not shown), mobile switching center(s) (MSC) (also not shown), all of which are well known to those familiar with wireless telecommunication networks.

Additionally, the inventive promotional information delivery/redemption system 200 includes a wireless/WAΝ gateway 207, which allows a mobile unit to communication with the server 201 across the wireless network 210 and the WAN 203, by providing a translation between the wireless communications protocol 209 and the WAN protocol 208. In a prefeπed embodiment of the present invention, the wireless communication protocol 209 utilizes the wireless markup language (WML) of the wireless applications protocol (WAP), the WAP protocol 208 utilizes the hypertext transport protocol/Internet protocol (HTTP/IP). The wireless/WAN gateway of the prefeπed embodiment comprises a WAP/HTTP gateway, e.g., ones commercially available from the Phone.com, Inc. of Redwood City, California. It should, however, be readily apparent to one of ordinary skill that the wireless communication protocol 208 may comprise any other communications protocol, without departing from the true spirit and scope of the present invention. Shown in Fig. 3, are block diagrams of exemplary embodiments of the mobile unit 310 and the server 301, which may be utilized as the mobile units 212a-212c, 213 and 214 and the server 201 shown in Fig. 2, respectively. In accordance with the principles of the present invention, the server 301 may include a communication interface 302, through which messages can be sent and received to and from the WAN 203. The user interface 303 enables a user/consumer to have access to the server 301 through the WAN 203 and the communication interface 302. Merchants who wish to place promotional information for their goods and services preferably access the server 301 through the WAN 203, the communication interface 302 and the merchant interface 304. In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the server 301 accesses each of the merchants through the communication interface 302 and the WAN 203 to monitor the inventory of goods and/or services to provide a real time inventory control and/or inventory level based promotional events. For example, if the on-line merchant 204 has an excessive surplus in its inventory, the server 301 may generate and send promotional information to selected users in order to promote more sales. In the alternative, the server 301 may initiate an inventory level based promotional event when, e.g., a merchant reports via the merchant interface 304 an excessive surplus in its inventory. Preferably, the server 301 includes an inventory web site accessible by merchants. On-line inventory tracking services are known in the art. By allowing merchants to keep track of their inventory on server 301, however, server 301 can provide additional information to users about how and where to redeem their coupons or other promotional materials. This is explained in greater depth hereinafter. The server 301 may also include a financial institution interface 305 in order to access and provide access to financial institutions, e.g., credit card companies and banks, to process transactions involving payments by consumers to the merchants. The Administration portion 306 includes the operating system (OS) for the server 301. This portion 306 controls the communication sessions and the database operations. The database storage 307, may be a disk aπay and stores a user profile database, promotional information from the merchants, and the like. An example is the AUTORAID available from Hewlett Packard Company of Fort Collins, CO, USA.

The mobile unit 310 of the present invention may comprise a radio frequency (RF) front end 312 to communicate to and from the base station (BS) of the wireless network 210. The mobile unit may further include a memory 316 to store data, e.g., phone numbers, names, etc., and a CPU 314 and the operating system (OS) 315 to collectively control the overall operation of the mobile unit, in a manner well known to those familiar with operations of a cellular handset. The memory 316 can be RAM, ROM, disk, or other form of electronic storage, though it is preferred that memory 316 not erase its contents when mobile unit 310 is turned off.

In addition, the mobile unit 310 may include a programmable timer 318, which may be set to expire after a specified time duration, e.g., 10 minutes, etc. The mobile unit software component (MU SW) 317 is preferably a JAVA® applet downloaded from the server 301. Component 317 controls the promotional information delivery/redemption portion of the mobile unit 310 as will be described in more detail below. The mobile unit 310 may optionally comprise a bar-code reader 311 for reading product information, e.g., the UPC code and the like, from packages of goods. In a prefeπed embodiment, each of the user interface 303, the merchant interface 304 and the financial institution interface 305 comprises at least a hypertext markup language (HTML) page and/or a wireless markup language (WML) page, also refeπed to as web pages, allowing the users, the merchants and the financial institutions to communicate with the server 301 through a web browser. Examples of acceptable browsers include the NAVIGATOR® from the Netscape Communications Corporation of Mountain View, CA, USA, or the INTERNET EXPLORER® from the Microsoft Corporation of Redmond, Washington, USA.

For example, a consumer may access the user interface 303 (e.g., a web page) via consumer PC 205 using a web browser and/or via a mobile unit 310 using a micro- browser, which is a version of web browser specifically made for wireless communication devices.

Figure 4 shows a flow diagram of an exemplary embodiment of the user sigh-up procedure in accordance with the principles of the present invention. In step 401, a consumer chooses to sign up as a user by clicking on the selection link from the user interface web page, for example. The server 301 deteπnines whether the identification of the mobile unit of the new user is known in step 402. The mobile unit identification can be obtained by having the user enter an identifier such as the mobile-unit phone number, if the new user is communicating via a PC. Alternatively, if the new user is communicating via the mobile unit, the mobile unit identification can be obtained by obtaining a unique identifying number, such as the mobile-unit identification number (MIN) or the like directly from the mobile unit.

If the mobile unit identification is known, in step 404, the server 301 preferably contacts the operator of the wireless network, to which the mobile unit subscribes, to obtain the personal biographical information. Information such as the user's name, address, telephone and facsimile numbers and the like can thus be obtained without requiring the new user to manually enter the information. This feature is particularly useful when the user is accessing the server web page via the mobile unit because the manual entry of information may be more difficult due to the limited input capabilities of the mobile unit.

If on the other hand, in step 402, it is determined that the mobile unit identification is not readily available, or if the wireless network operator is unavailable or unwilling to provide the information, the new user is prompted to manually enter his/her personal biographical information in step 403. Once the preliminary biographical information is obtained, the new user is prompted, in step 405, to set user profile and select option settings, the processes of which are described in detail below. After the user sets the user profile and the option settings, the server 301 determines, in step 406, if the mobile unit is cuπently turned on. If the mobile unit is on, the server sends a mobile unit software component, e.g., a JAVA® applet, to the mobile unit in step 408. If, on the other hand, the mobile unit is cuπently turned off, the server 301 places the mobile unit software component in a queue, in step 407, for later transmittal to the mobile unit the next time the mobile unit is turned on.

Once the mobile unit 318 receives the mobile unit software component, the sign-up process is complete. In step 409, the server 301 may send a message (such as an e-mail and/or call) the mobile unit 310 to confirm the acceptance of the new user and the availability of the promotional delivery/redemption service. Figure 4a shows a flow diagram of an exemplary embodiment of the user profile setup process. When a user wishes to set up a user profile as a part of the initial sign-up process, or to make a change in the user profile previously created, he/she selects the user profile set up menu by, e.g., clicking on the coπesponding selection link from the user interface web page, the server 301 provides the user with three areas of the user profile to set-up and/or change, namely the personal profile 451, favorite profile 452, and the calendar event profile 453.

Within the personal profile menu, the user may set-up/change the personal data, e.g., the name, e-mail address, telephone numbers, credit card information, bank account information, etc. in steps 454 to 456 as shown. In steps 457 to 459, the user may specify or change the default method of payment for future purchases that may be made through the promotional information delivery/redemption system of the present invention. In steps 460 to 463, within the favorite profile menu 452, the user may setup/change his preference data such as his favorite types and/or color of clothing, his favorite coffee shop, his favorite brand of cereal, etc. He may also be permitted to specify the date and times to be notified for the coπesponding coupon categories. Finally, in steps 464 through 468, within the calendar event profile menu 453, the user may specify one or more important dates. These dates might include wedding anniversaries, birthdays, etc. The user may also specify coπesponding coupon categories for each date. For example, the user may specify toys for the birthday of a child. Figure 4b shows a flow diagram of an exemplary embodiment of the user option selection/change process, which is initiated when the user chooses the select/change option menu by clicking on the selection link from the user interface web page in step 470.

In step 471, the server 301 queries the user if the user wishes to de-activate the promotional information delivery service, which is activated as a default. If the user answers yes, then the server sets the service disable flag in the option setting of the user in step 474, and saves the change in the option setting in step 487. If the user answers no, the server 301 queries, in step 473, whether the user wishes to enable (or disable) any of the "event based triggers" - occuπences of which may initiate the promotional information delivery process.

If the user answers yes, the enable/disable setting of the calendar event trigger and location/favorite event trigger, both of which are described in more detail below, may be modified in steps 474 to 484. If the question of step 473 is answered "no," then the process proceeds to step 475, in which the server prompts the user to decide whether the user wants to activate the "notify a friend" feature, which is described in more detail below. Similarly, in steps 477 through 482, the default display setting of the mobile unit and the user home page selection may be modified. The modifϊcation(s) made in steps 475 to 482 are used by the server 301 to update the user profile.

In a prefeπed embodiment of the present invention, the promotional information is aπanged in terms of the geographical location(s) of the merchants who offer the goods and services to which the promotional information relates. At step 481, the user is permitted to specify a web page listing promotional information that is limited to a particular geographical area of the offering merchants, as the home or log-in web page from which to start the promotional information delivery service.

Figure 5a shows a block diagram of the relevant portions of the mobile unit 501 and the server 507. The mobile unit 501 may include a memory 501. Memory 502 stores the mobile unit software component (MUSW) 504, and a list of triggering events 503. In this example, the MUSW 504 updates the location of the mobile unit 501 and sends the updated location of the mobile unit to the server 508 via the signal path 505. The MUSW 504 according to this embodiment also determines if any of the triggering events have occuπed, and, if so, sends a trigger signal to the server upon an occuπence of a triggering event via the signal path 505. In response to the trigger signal, the server 507, examines the trigger event type and selects the relevant promotional information based on the user profile 508.

Figure 5b shows an alternative embodiment of the mobile unit 501a and the server 507a. Figure 5b shows the triggering event being stored at the server 407a rather at the mobile unit 501a. The mobile unit 501a sends an update of the location of the mobile unit 501a to the server 507a via the signal path 505a, which may be across the various networks and gateways as previously described. The server 507a monitors for an occuπence of any of the triggering events 503a, and upon such occuπence 503a, initiates a "push" of promotional information selected based on the user profile 508a. As used herein, a "push" of promotional information means the transmittal of promotional information without a specific request for such promotional information. This embodiment is preferable since the limited amount of the memory space of the mobile unit is not wasted for storing the triggering events. The MUSW 504a may be smaller in size than the MUSW 504 since it does not require the triggering event monitoring portion of the code.

Figure 6 shows a flow diagram of the prefeπed embodiment of the mobile unit software component, MUSW 504a. The MUSW 504a detects the mobile unit being turned on in step 601. Then, in step 602, it initializes the cuπent location of the mobile unit, and the mobile unit identification, e.g., the mobile identification number (MIN) or the like, and sets the timer (e.g., the timer 318) to expire after a predeteπnined time duration. This time duration can be specified by the user as one of the options through the select/change option menu previously described. In steps 603 and 604, the MUSW 504a re-determines the cuπent mobile unit location after the elapse of the specified time duration, and sends the location update signal to the server 507a via the signal path 505a. The location update signal can be any parameter from which the geographical location of the mobile unit can be obtained. In a prefeπed embodiment of the present invention, the location update signal comprises the identification of the cell such as the cell number in the personal communications service (PCS) network, in which the mobile unit is cuπently located. The location update signal may alternatively be the identity of the base station (BS) nearest to the mobile unit (MU).

The cuπent location of the mobile unit may be detemiined using one of the known radio location methodologies, including the strongest signal method, the time of aπival (TOA) method, the angle of aπival (AOA), the differential time of arrival (TDOA) method, etc., all of which are known to those familiar with wireless telecommunication teclmology. Alternatively, the location may also be determined by providing a global positioning system (GPS) receiver in the mobile unit itself. The home or long-in web page may be selected automatically based on the detected location of the mobile unit. That is, when the promotional information delivery/redemption system is accessed via a mobile unit, the mobile unit can be provided with an initial page that contains promotional information from merchants located in the same geographical location (or in the vicinity) of the location of the mobile unit.

Unless the MUSW 501a detects promotional infoπnation being pushed by the server 507a, the process of determining, and updating the server with, the cuπent location of the mobile unit is repeated in steps 602 through 605. However, if in step 606, the MUSW 504a detects promotional information being pushed by the server 407a, the MUSW 504a displays the received one or more pieces of the promotional information on the screen of the mobile unit 501a.

The screen display is preferably based on the user profile and/or option setting and may be presented in several different formats. For example, if the user has chosen in the option setting, the display may be one of (or a combination of) text, graphical, animated or multimedia. The text display provides the promotional information in a textual form allowing the user to read and scroll through lists of texts. The graphical display allows display of the promotional information as still pictures allowing user to jump around between picture objects to make a selection. The animated display may provide, for example, a dynamically changing discount amount, based on, for example, time of the day, day of the week or a double coupon day, etc. The multimedia display allows the promotional information to be presented as video, audio and/or text. The user is allowed to make a selection in step 608 to utilize or redeem the promotional information according to the redemption process, which is described in more detail below.

Figure 7a shows a flow diagram of an exemplary embodiment of a portion of the server involved in carrying out communication sessions with the mobile unit. In this embodiment the server periodically receives the location update from the mobile unit in step 701, and tracks the location of the mobile unit until it is determined, in step 702, that a triggering event has occuπed. The server deteπnines whether the triggering event is a calendar triggering event or a location/favorite triggering event in steps 703 and 704, respectively, and performs the steps coπesponding to the determined triggering event, as explained in more detail below. In steps 705 to 707, the server allows the user to request a list of promotional information, and select therefrom. In step 708, the user is asked if the user desires to notify a friend of the triggering event, and if the user answers yes, performs the friend notification process, which is explained in more detail below. Once selection of one or more particular pieces of the promotional information is made by the user during any of the steps 705 to 707, or during the steps involved in the triggering event handling and/or notify friend feature, the user is given an opportunity, in steps 709 and 710. to save the promotional information in a personal promotional information savings area (e.g., electronic coupon book). The user can retrieve any of the promotional information from his personal promotional information savings area at any time. The personal promotional information savings area may alternatively be in the memory 502a of the mobile unit 310. Preferably, the server (or the mobile unit if the savings area resides in the memory of the mobile unit) periodically inspects the promotional information stored in the personal savings area to purge those promotional information items that have lapsed expiration dates.

If the user chooses not to save the selected promotional information items, in step 711, the server presents the user with a redemption selection menu. Figure 7b is a flow diagram illustrating the redemption method selection process in accordance with the principles of the present invention, which allows the user to choose from the five possible - redemption by e-mail, facsimile, a telephone call, in-person, and infrared. Those of ordinary skill in the art will recognize that other redemption methods are possible and within the scope of the present invention.

If the user selects the e-mail option in step 712, the server sends an e-mail message to the merchant offering the selected promotional information in step 713. The e-mail message may include the identity of the user (obtained from the user profile database), the promotional information and an unique identifying number assigned to that particular piece of promotional information. The merchant can then verify the validity of the unique identifying number before allowing redemption.

If the user selects the facsimile in step 714, the server sends a facsimile to the merchant in step 715. The facsimile may include the identity of the user (obtained from the user profile database), the promotional information and an unique identifying number assigned to that particular piece of promotional infoπnation.

If the user selects the telephone call option in step 716, the server calls the merchant in step 717, and sends the promotional information to the mobile unit an unique identifying number assigned to that particular piece of promotional information to be displayed on the display screen of the mobile unit in step 718. When the merchant answers the call, the user may tell the merchant that he wishes to redeem the promotional information. The user then reads the unique identifying number off the display screen to provide the same to the merchant or shows the unique identifying number on the display to the merchant. If the user selects the in-person option in step 719, the server sends the promotional infoπnation to the mobile unit an unique identifying number assigned to that particular piece of promotional information to be displayed on the display screen of the mobile unit in step 720. The user visits the merchant in person, and shows the unique identifying number to the merchant. Optionally, the user can also print the promotional information from the mobile unit and show the printed coupon or other promotional information to the merchant.

Finally, if the user chooses the infrared option, or simply scans in a bar code with the optional bar-code reader built into the mobile unit (e.g., mobile unit 310), an automated purchase/redemption process that does not involve a point-of-sale (POS) equipment, such as a cash register. This non-POS purchase/redemption process will be described in more detail later in connection with Fig. 11.

It can be appreciated that the unique identifying number attached to the promotional information, can be used to ensure that the promotional information is not redeemed again and/or that the promotional infoπnation is not used except during a purchase of goods or service for which the promotional information was offered. In addition, the unique identifying number associated with each piece of promotional information allows tracking of the promotional information from the delivery stage to the redemption stage, which can provide valuable marketing data to the merchants. Figure 8 shows a flow chart which illustrates the handling of a calendar event trigger. As used herein, a calendar event trigger can comprise an important date entered by the user in his profile data (as previously explained). A calendar event trigger may also comprise a simple timer (e.g., an instrument to the server to download a certain category of available coupons every two hours). As previously described calendar event triggers are stored as a part of the user profile, such as in the calendar event profile 453. For example, when a date designated by the user as an important date, e.g., wife's birthday, is approaching (e.g., a week away, a day before, etc.) an event is triggered in step 801. Upon triggering of the calendar event, the server selects goods and/or services that coπespond to the triggering calendar event based on the selections by the user previously made and stored in the user profile. For example, the user may have previously specified, e.g., during the user profile set-up process shown in Fig. 4, his wife' birthday as the triggering event, and jewelry as the coπesponding gift category. At the specified time, the server then selects one or more jewelry items as the gifts in step 802.

In step 803, the server calls the mobile unit belonging to the user, and displays the triggering event on the display screen, e.g., "Wife's Birthday Tomorrow." The server then provides the user with an option to ignore the reminder (step 804), or postpone the gift buying to a later time step 805). If the user wants to postpone, the later reminder time is stored at the server as the later notification time (step 806), which re-triggers the calendar event at the specified later-notification time.

If the user chooses to act on the reminder, the server may list the gifts selected in the past one at a time showing the detailed descriptions of each of the gifts selected in steps 807 et seq. For such gift, the server also preferably offers the user a coπesponding piece of promotional information, such as a coupon. For each of the gifts suggested, the server allows the user the option to buy, and when the user so selects, preferably suggests add-on gift in step 809. For example if the user selects a necklace for wife's birthday gift, the server may suggest flowers as a possible add-on gift.

After the user has decided to buy one or more gifts for the occasion, the server allows the user to purchase the selected gifts from the mobile unit. The user selects a payment method of charging to a credit card or debiting from a bank account, etc., in steps 811 to 812. The server completes the transaction in steps 813 to 819, by making the payment to the merchant using a payment method selected by the user, and shipping the gift to the shipping address provided by the user profile, or any other address the user selects. In steps 819 and 820, if the user indicates his/her desire, the user profile is modified so that the user may receive in the future e-mails about the product the user just bought.

Figure 9 shows a flow diagram of an illustrative exemplary embodiment of handling location/favorite event trigger. As previously described, the location favorite event may occur when the user comes within a vicinity of merchants previously identified by the user as his/her favorite. The event may be further refined to allow triggering only during certain times. For example, an entry in the location/favorite event trigger list may be "Sunday Afternoons, Joe's Coffee."

The event occurs, in step 901, when the user comes within a predetermined range of the favorite merchant, e.g., Joe's Coffee, during the specified times, e.g.,

Sunday afternoon. The server then selects the promotional information that is relevant to the triggered event, e.g., 10% off Joe's Coffee, in step 902. Then, the user is provided several options, namely to send the promotional information to a friend, notify a friend or to redeem the promotional information. When the user chooses to redeem the promotional information, the server provides the address and the directions to the merchant, e.g., Joe's Coffee, in steps 907 and 908, and presents the redemption method selection menu already described in connection with Fig. 7b.

The above description of the calendar events and location/favorite events are given by way of examples only, and not as limitations. It should be readily apparent that any other events may trigger a push delivery of promotional information by the server. For example, a special sale held by a merchant may also be a triggering event.

When a merchant wishes to hold a special sale event, the merchant accesses the server via the merchant interface, and provides the details of the sale event to the server. The server may search the user profile to find users who may have interest with respect to the sale event, and send an advertisement message and/or a discount coupon to those users with interest who are nearby the merchant. In other embodiments, a merchant may desire to push promotional information to all users in a certain geographic area, regardless of user profile. In a prefeπed embodiment of the present invention, the server also monitors the inventories of the merchants in real time. The server is thus able to provide the users with the names and locations of those merchants who have the desired goods or service in stock. In addition, the monitoring capabilities of the mobile unit, itself, can be utilized as part of a triggering event. For example, if the mobile unit utilizes "Blue Tooth" technology, it may be able to signal a need for repair to a particular merchant. For example, a car in need of an oil change may signal such. It is prefeπed that upon receiving such signal, the server of the present invention contacts the mobile unit and provides the name and address of the nearest service station and coπesponding promotional information (such as a coupon).

When the user chooses to send the promotional information to a friend or to notify a friend, the friend notification process as shown in Fig. 10 is performed to allow the user to invite one or more his friends to join him at the merchant's location. In the manner previously described, the server obtains the locations of the friends of the user by tracking those persons' mobile units. The names and mobile numbers of the user's friends are preferably stored in the user profile of the user but can also be entered by the user ad hoc. The server prompts the wireless network operator to obtain the locations of the friends. The server selects those friends who are within a predetemiined range of the user, and allows the user to choose therefrom in steps 1003, 1004, 1021 and 1014.

In steps 1005 to 1007, the server sends messages to the friends' mobile units notifying them of the location of the merchant and a message from the user inviting them to join him. In steps 1015, 1016, 1017 and 1020, the server sends to the mobile units of the friends the promotional information and a message from the user inviting the friends to join him. When the friends receive the message, they may join the user at the merchant and, in steps 1008 to 1013, 1018 and 1019, the server preferably invites the friends to join the promotional infoπnation delivery/redemption system so that they too can receive the service.

In a prefeπed embodiment of the present invention, the mobile unit includes a built-in scanner, such as a bar-code reader, to scan bar codes or other identifying symbols from goods and/or a menu of services. For instance, in the above example, the user may use the bar-code reader scan the bar code from the menu, and thereby pay for the coffee without standing in the line at the cash register. The merchant may also provide other identification for goods and services that can be typed into the user's mobile unit.

In particular, Fig. 11 shows a flow chart for an exemplary embodiment of the transaction without a point-of-sale (POS) in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. If the infrared option is selected from the redemption method selection menu, the server displays the promotional information on the screen of the mobile unit in step 1101. The user selects their payment method in step 1102, which may include by a credit card or from a bank account specified during user profiling. Once the payment method is selected, in step 1103, the user simply scans the bar code or other identifier from the product being purchased such as the menu listing, the invoice, the receipt, etc. The server then matches the bar code, or other identifier, to a price list in memory for that merchant. In steps 1104 to 111, the server ensures the validity of the promotional information and the fund availability of the user's account, and completes the purchase transaction. The user is thus permitted to make a purchase and redeem a discount coupon without even going to a point-of-sale (POS) station of the store. As will be evident to those of skill in the art, other types of scanners may be provided, and bar-code readers are merely one example. As can be appreciated, in this exemplary embodiment, promotional information, such as discount coupons, gift certificates, and advertisement material, may be delivered and redeemed in convenient and portable and secure manner to a mobile unit. This promotes participation from a larger number of consumers, and makes it easier for those consumers to receive, handle and redeem the promotional information. It can be also appreciated that the promotional information delivery and redemption system according to the present invention is effective in marketing products and services by actively "pushing" the promotional information to a targeted number of consumers. The present system and method also provides a seamless integration of delivery and redemption processes to provide a secure redemption and efficient tracking of promotional-information use.

While the invention has been described with reference to the exemplary embodiments thereof, those skilled in the art will be able to make various modifications to the described embodiments of the invention without departing from the true spirit and scope of the invention. The terms and descriptions used herein are set forth by way of illustration only and are not meant as limitations. In particular, although the method of the present invention has been described by examples, the steps of the method may be performed in a different order than illustrated or simultaneously. Those skilled in the art will recognize that these and other variations are possible within the spirit and scope of the invention as defined in the following claims and their equivalents.

Claims

ClaimsWhat is claimed is:

1. A method of distributing promotional information to a mobile unit of a subscriber of a communication network, comprising the steps of: providing at least one triggering event; detecting an occuπence of said at least one triggering event; and initiating, upon said detected occuπence of said at least one triggering event, a push delivery of said promotional information to said mobile unit via said communication network.

2. The method of distributing promotional information according to claim

1 , wherein: said promotional information comprises one or more discount coupons.

3. The method of distributing promotional information according to claim

2, further comprising: determining a cuπent location of said mobile unit.

4. The method of distributing promotional information according to claim

3, wherein: said at least one triggering event is movement of said mobile unit into a predetermined geographical area.

5. The method of distributing promotional information according to claim

3, wherein: said at least one triggering event is movement of said mobile unit into a vicinity of a merchant.

6. The method of distributing promotional infoπnation according to claim 1, wherein: said at least one triggering event is a calendar even:.

7. The method of distributing promotional infoπnation according to claim 2, further comprising: storing a user profile in a distribution server; storing said one or more discount coupons in said distribution server, wherein said user profile including a coπespondence mapping between said at least one triggering event and said one or more discount coupons; and selecting a subset of said one or more discount coupons based on said coπespondence mapping upon said occuπence of said at least one triggering event.

8. The method of distributing promotional infoπnation according to claim

1, further comprising: storing said at least one triggering event in a memory of said mobile unit.

9. The method of distributing promotional information according to claim

7, further comprising: storing said at least one triggering event in a memory of said distribution server.

10. The method of distributing promotional infoπnation according to claim

2, further comprising: selecting a first one of said one or more discount coupons; and sending an e-mail message to a merchant, said e-mail message including a unique identification number of said first one of said one or more discount coupons.

11. The method of distributing promotional infoπnation according to claim 2, further comprising: selecting a first one of said one or more discount coupons; and sending a facsimile transmission to a merchant, said facsimile transmission including a unique identification number of said first one of said one or more discount coupons.

12. The method of distributing promotional information according to claim 2, further comprising: selecting a first one of said one or more discount coupons; and displaying a unique identification number of said first one of said one or more discount coupons on a display screen of said mobile unit.

13. The method of distributing promotional information according to claim 2, further comprising: selecting a first one of said one or more discount coupons; calling a merchant over a telephone; and displaying a unique identification number of said first one of said one or more discount coupons on a display screen of said mobile unit.

14. The method of distributing promotional information according to claim 2, further comprising: providing a scanner in said mobile unit; selecting a first one of said one or more discount coupons; scanning an identifier from an article of commerce with said scanner, said first one of said one or more discount coupons being associated with said article of manufacture; and making a payment for a purchase of said article of manufacture from said mobile unit utilizing said scanned identifier, wherein said payment comprises a price of said article of manufacture less a discount amount specified in said first one of said one or more discount coupons.

15. the method of distributing promotional infoπnation according to claim 2, further comprising: displaying said one or more discount coupons on a display screen of said mobile unit.

16. The method of distributing promotional information according to claim 15, wherein said step of displaying said one or more discount coupons comprises: displaying said plurality of discount coupons as text objects.

17. The method of distributing promotional information according to claim

15, wherein said step of displaying said one or more discount coupons comprises: displaying said one or more discount coupons as graphical objects.

18. The method of distributing promotional information according to claim 15, wherein said step of displaying said one or more discount coupons comprises: displaying said plurality of discount coupons as animation objects, said animation objects having dynamically changing contents.

19. The method of distributing promotional information according to claim 15, wherein said step of displaying said one or more discount coupons comprises: displaying said one or more discount coupons as multimedia objects, said multimedia objects having at least one of audio format contents and video format contents.

20. An apparatus for distributing promotional information to a mobile unit of a subscriber of a communication network, comprising: a storage area to store at least one triggering event; means, operably connected to said storage area, for detecting an occuπence of said at least one triggering event; and means, communicatively connected to said means for detecting, for initiating, upon said detected occuπence of said at least one triggering event, a push delivery of said promotional information to said mobile unit via said communication network.

21. The apparatus for distributing promotional information according to claim 20, wherein: said promotional information comprises one or more discount coupons.

22. The apparatus for distributing promotional information according to claim 21, further comprising: means for deteπriining a cuπent location of said mobile unit.

23. The apparatus for distributing promotional information according to claim 22, wherein: said at least one triggering event is movement of said mobile unit into a predetermined geographical area.

24. The apparatus for distributing promotional information according to claim 22, wherein: said at least one triggering event is movement of said mobile unit into a vicinity of a merchant.

25. The apparatus for distributing promotional infoπnation according to claim 21, wherein: said at least one triggering event is a calendar event.

26. The apparatus for distributing promotional information according to claim 21, further comprising: a distribution server for storing a user profile and one or more discount coupons, wherein said user profile including a coπespondence mapping between said at least one triggering event and respective ones of said one or more discount coupons; and means for selecting a subset of said one or more of discount coupons based on said coπespondence mapping upon an occuπence of said at least one triggering event.

27. The apparatus for distributing promotional information according to claim 21, wherein said mobile unit comprises: a memory for storing said at least one triggering event.

28. The apparatus for distributing promotional infoπriation according to claim 26, wherein said distribution server comprises: a memory for storing said at least one triggering event.

29. The apparatus for distributing promotional information according to claim 20, further comprising: means for selecting a first one of said one or more discount coupons; and means for sending an e-mail message to a merchant, said 3-mail message including a unique identification number of said first one of said one or more discount coupons.

30. The apparatus for distributing promotional infoπnation according to claim 20, further comprising: means for selecting a first one of said one or more discount coupons; and means for sending a facsimile transmission to a merchant, said facsimile transmission including a unique identification number of said first one of said one or more discount coupons.

31. The apparatus for distributing promotional information according to claim 20, further comprising: means for selecting a first one of said one or more discount coupons; and means for displaying a unique identification number of said first one of said one or more discount coupons on a display screen of said unit.

32. The apparatus for distributing promotional information according to claim 20, further comprising: means for selecting a first one of said one or more discount coupons; means for calling a merchant over a telephone; and means for displaying a unique identification number of said first one of said one or more discount coupons on a display screen of said unit.

33. The apparatus for distributing promotional information according to claim 20, further comprising: means for selecting a first one of said one or more discount coupons; a seamier operably connected to said mobile unit for scamiing an identifier from an article of commerce, said first one of said one or more discount coupons being associated with said article of manufacture; and means for making a payment for a purchase of said article of manufacture from said mobile unit utilizing said scanned identifier, wherein said payment comprises a price of said article of manufacture less a discount amount specified in said first one of said one or more discount coupons.

34. A promotional information distribution and redemption system, comprising: a communication network; a distribution server in communicative connection with said communication network; a mobile unit in communicative connection with said communication network; and wherein said distribution server pushes said promotional information to said mobile unit through said communication network.

35. The promotional information distribution and redemption system according to claim 34, wherein said communication network includes: a wireless network in communicative connection with said mobile unit; a wide area network in communicative connection with said distribution server; and a gateway in communicative connection with each of said wireless network and said wide area network.

36. The promotional information distribution and redemption system according to claim 34, wherein said mobile unit includes: a scanner.

37. A promotional information distribution and redemption system according to claim 34, wherein said mobile unit includes: a memory to store a software component downloaded from said distribution server through said communication network.

38. The promotional information distribution and redemption system according to claim 34, wherein: said gateway is adapted to provide a translation between a wireless application protocol and hypertext transport protocol/Internet protocol.